Did you know that the 50mm f/1.8 G in 2014 costs almost three times the price the D version discontinued around 2012?

And that the 50mm f/1.8 G in 2014 costs about the same as the 50mm f/1.4 D did in 2012.

Or that the 50mm f/1.4G and 85mm f/1.8G lenses cost almost double their D equivalents around 2012?

The D7000 MB-11 battery pack has doubled in price and the D7100 grip is at the same price of R4500. There is a third party D7000 grip for R2400, but that is still a lot – Hahnel HN-D7000. The D800’s battery pack goes for R7500, which is more than a lot of Nikon bodies.

Do you know about the 85mm f/1.4D which is still available to order, new? It is not the pro level G version and doesn’t have nano-crystal coating, but it costs less than a new 85mm f/1.8G! Or a new 50mm f/1.4G.

Looking at an IR remote for Nikon which only has one button and triggers the camera wirelessly… I bought one a few years ago fro R200 at Orms and now it goes for R299 link and includes an extra switch. Even more confusingly, the Studio22 version with a different model number but same look goes for R59.

Yes, the newer G lenses are supposed to have better optics. But that only makes a difference if you make sure all the other elements of your photo are technically sound including exposure, focus and composition. Including no movement or handshake blur which affect sharpness. And good white balance and contrast treatment. On quality optics – also remember you can use Lightroom or Photoshop lens profiles to automatically correct chromatic abberations, distortion and vignetting. Abberations and vignetting are hardly visible after closing down a few stops and distortion is almost zero on primes.

Yes the newer lenses do let you get AF-S (auto focus servo) function over the older AF (autofocus requiring motors in body). But that only makes a difference if you shoot with an entry-level D3XXX series or one up from that D5XXX series. Which are aimed at enthuiasts and not semi-pros or pros who would look at the D7000, D7100, D300s, D700, D610, etc. I have enjoyed many AF D lenses on a D90 (was about R9000) or D7000 (has remained at R13 000) and D200 (I picked up secondhand for R2000).